Lecture Set 18 - Universal Design - URC.pdf

Accessibility WHY DOES IT MATTER? What is a Building Code? A modern building code has a couple primary goals: • Ensure people can actually use the environments… What is a Building Code? • Codes are specified around anthropomorphic averages or “norms” • BUT - Who is ‘Norm’? What is a Building C...

Accessibility WHY DOES IT MATTER? What is a Building Code? A modern building code has a couple primary goals: • Ensure people can actually use the environments… What is a Building Code? • Codes are specified around anthropomorphic averages or “norms” • BUT - Who is ‘Norm’? What is a Building Code? • Qualified engineers and specialists test and recommend structural elements of construction to guarantee environmental integrity • Requirements for safe environments Building Codes 3 Levels of Building Code 1) Federal • All federal buildings 2) Provincial • Modify national codes as seen fit or to meet local needs 3) Municipal • Have authority within their particular region ¢ Human Rights Code • Recognizes that all persons are equal… Accommodating for Persons with Disabilities WHAT DO WE NEED TO CONSIDER? A Person with a Disability…. • …is anyone whose activity and participation is inhibited by a change in body function and/or structure, health, and/or contextual factors. • A disability can be temporary, enduring, progressive, regressive. How Can Someone be Affected by Disability? DECREASED… CHANGES IN… • Muscle mass • Locomotion • Mobility • Balance • Flexibility and joint stability • Posture • Reaction time • Coordination • Vision • Reflexes • Hearing • Cognitive functioning General Considerations For someone who uses a wheelchair: • Chair needs to fit in the space • Chair needs to be able to move within the space • Items should be reachable chair from General Considerations VISUAL IMPAIRMENT • Contrast in colors to identify borders (i.e., location cues) • Audible cues in elevators, for walk signs, etc • Bright lights, glare from windows HEARING IMPAIRMENT • Signs with precise and clear messages • Visual cues along with auditory General Considerations INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY • Recognizable visual cues and images along with text • Eliminate ambiguity to eliminate confusion OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT… • Do items require grip or specific movement to manipulate objects? (Who might experience limited dexterity, etc.?) • Is strength needed? (What groups of people might have decreased strength or stamina?) • Are pathways safe (non-slip, clear, smooth, etc.)? WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENSURE EVERYTHING IS ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE? Universal Design • Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design – Ron Mace Universal Design • Tries to foresee the uses and users of an area before any work is done and maximize the number of people who can use it with the least effort PRINCIPLE #1: Equitable Use • The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. • Power doors with sensors; integrated seating in stadiums PRINCIPLE #2: Flexibility in Use • The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. • Scissors designed for left-handed and righthanded users; ATMs with tactile and auditory info PRINCIPLE #3: Simple & Intuitive Use • Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. • Instruction manual with images, not text PRINCIPLE #4: Perceptible Information • The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. • Redundant cueing in public places (subways, airports) using voice communication and signage PRINCIPLE #5: Tolerance for Error • The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. • ‘Undo’ feature in computer software; double cut keys that fit in keyhole either way PRINCIPLE #6: Low Physical Effort • The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. • Touch lamps; levers on doors; no touch faucets PRINCIPLE #7: Size & Space for Approach and Use • Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. • Wide doorways and gates; controls on front of appliances, clear floor space Some things that I find ‘accessible’… • Wide interior doors and hallways Everyday examples of universal design include utensils with larger handles, curb ramps, automated doors, kneeling buses with telescoping ramps, houses with no-step entries, closed captioning in televisions, and the accessibility features incorporated into computer operating systems and software. • Lever handles for opening doors rather than twisting knobs • Light switches with large flat panels rather than small toggle switches • Buttons on control panels that can be distinguished by touch • Bright and appropriate lighting, particularly task lighting • Auditory output redundant with information on visual displays • Visual output redundant with information in auditory output Everyday examples of universal design include utensils with larger handles, curb ramps, automated doors, kneeling buses with telescoping ramps, houses with no-step entries, closed captioning in televisions, and the accessibility features incorporated into computer operating systems and software. • Use of meaningful icons as well as text labels • Clear lines of sight (to reduce dependence on sound) • Volume controls on auditory output • Speed controls on auditory output • Choice of language on speech output • Ramp access in swimming pools • Closed captioning on television networks Some things that I find ‘INaccessible’… Shampoo & Conditioner • User Friendly (?) • Bottles look exactly the same – Except for the white writing on the conditioner bottle that is very small. • I have to look very closely to ensure I am using the correct product. Can Opener • User Friendly (?) • Hard to figure out how to use and they hurt my hand! Public Washrooms • User Friendly (?) • If you have to think about the sign before going into the bathroom, then the sign is not clear enough. Public Washrooms • User Friendly (?) • Same tile all over wall and floor makes it difficult to discern where the wall meets the floor. • Also, I am likely to come in contact with dirty paper towels as I reach for a clean one. Hands-Free Devices • User Friendly (?) • These are supposed to be easy to use… • However they do not always work unless you have your hand in a very specific area under the tap – Can be frustrating Elevators • User Friendly (?) • Do I push the number or the lighted area beside the number? • The mirrored wall makes it difficult to discern the floor numbers Self-Serve Check-Outs • User Friendly (?) • Supposed to help you get out of the store quickly, however they can be frustrating. • Also, if the store has to put a sign up on the machine telling you how to use it (i.e., scan the club card then the airmiles card, etc.) then it is not really that accessible! What can you think of that is ‘inaccessible’? WHAT SPACES, ITEMS, AND OR PRODUCTS ARE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO ‘NEGOTIATE WITH’ OR NAVIGATE AROUND?